Truck accidents are, unfortunately, a significant cause of death in the world. In the U.S. alone, 74 percent of all fatal passenger-vehicle accidents involve large trucks. When it comes to accidents, trucks have different rules from other vehicles, and they face more rigid standards.
Trucking companies and truck drivers carry a higher burden of responsibility, given the trucks’ sheer size and weight. Most often, trucks leave a devastating wake of catastrophic damages, injuries, and fatalities. The question is, what steps should you take once involved in a truck accident?
Start By Calling the Authorities and Getting Medical Help
If you’re in any position to do so, the first thing you should do is call the police to report the accident and get medical help. It is incredibly important for you and all other parties involved to get medical attention as soon as possible, regardless of how minor your injuries may be. Assess the situation and move to safety, and if you’re in a position to walk, check how everyone else is doing.
Depending on your injuries’ severity, you can try to carry out first aid such as bandaging wounds to control bleeding before medical services arrive. If you suffered grave injuries and are unable to move, try as much as you can to call for help so that others can save you as well.
If your injuries are not severe, move your vehicle from the road or turn on the hazard lights to warn other drivers of the scene. This will help avoid traffic or another accident, after which you should wait for the authorities to arrive. However, only move the car for safety purposes; otherwise, it’s always best to leave the accident scene as it is for thorough investigations.
Document the Scene
You mustn’t leave a trucking accident scene. In most states, this is considered a crime because it constitutes a hit and run accident. If you’re not severely injured and are in a position to walk, it’s of utmost importance for you to gather and exchange vital information with all the parties involved in the accident. This will help the police and your truck accident attorney deal with the insurance company or the lawsuit.
There may be witnesses that saw everything that happened. You need to take down their information because they may be able to help in a legal proceeding. The information you collect should include the involved parties’ names, contact information, vehicle information such as make and model, and their license plate numbers.
Take Photos and Video Evidence
In the world we live in, technology allows us to take photos, video, and audio evidence of any situation, which is one of the best times to do that. If you can access your smartphone or any mobile device with the capabilities to take photos or videos of the crash scene. Do it immediately because it will provide the strongest evidence you can capture.
The best things about photos and videos are that they don’t change, unlike witnesses that tend to forget information as days go by. Photos will capture everything and everyone involved, while video and audio will show what everyone was saying then.
This will give you great leverage if you need to sue anyone for negligence. You need to take snapshots of the entire truck accident. Go from significant landmarks, skid marks, intersections, and all vehicles involved to tell the story of what happened.
If the accident happens during the night, audio and video recordings will be the best form of evidence. It’s important for you to record your own account of what happened. Then record conversations you and the other parties or witnesses have during that time. Keep your recording safe and avail them to your truck accident lawyer if there’s a need to move on with legal action.
Avoid Making Any Statement About the Truck Accident
You must avoid making statements about the accident, like saying it was your fault. It’s possible that a witness saw a different driver texting while driving or running a red light. Maybe there was a malfunctioning spotlight.
Even if you feel as if you did something wrong and you have some responsibility, say nothing. You need to discuss the issue with your truck accident lawyer before telling anyone else.
It’s also vital to make sure you are calmer and away from the accident scene. This way, you can make a statement from a strong place and not that of vulnerability.
Call a Truck Accident Lawyer
As a truck driver, it’s a given that either party will go to court to demand compensation. You need to have a professional truck accident attorney protecting your rights and offering your legal assistance. This could be the beginning of a long legal process, and the other parties may come armed with their own professional truck accident lawyer.
You need to launch a compensation claim with the insurance company and your employer, as they are required to offer you protection. Look for a competent truck accident lawyer in your area as soon as possible to investigate the scene of the accident.
They will get a fresh account of the events from the witnesses before they start forgetting the intricate details. Specifically, hire a truck accident lawyer as they know all truck accident laws and a track record of similar cases.
The best thing about having a professional truck accident attorney is that they will gather all the necessary evidence. They’ll interview the witnesses and documents all the information needed to prove who was at fault.
This is more important if you were too injured to go through the process of collecting information and documenting the accident scene. Additionally, the truck accident lawyer will negotiate with insurance companies during the settlement. They will also go to court to make sure you receive a fair trial.
Handling a Truck Accident
If you are involved in a truck accident, the most important thing is to ensure you stay at the scene until the police arrive. Get medical attention, and hire a professional work accident lawyer immediately. Your company may be able to help with hiring a lawyer and may be able to offer you protection.
Still, if you need a professional attorney to assist you, please get in touch with us today, and we’ll be more than glad to assist you.
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.329.3491.
